Archery bow riser

ABSTRACT

An archery bow riser that generally aligns a moveable arrow rest with a longitudinal axis in order to minimize a rotational effect of an archer&#39;s forehand when drawing a bow string.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an archery bow riser having a moveable arrow rest that can be generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the archery bow riser, to reduce or minimize a rotational effect of an archer's forehand when drawing a bow string.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Many conventional arrow rests are connected to a bow riser with a bracket. The bracket can adjoin the arrow rest to one of many different types of bow risers, using a mounting hole, such as sized and positioned according to an Archery Manufacturers and Merchant's Organization (“AMO”) specification. The bracket includes a length or a moment arm that offsets the arrow rest from and thus not aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bow riser. This offset makes aiming at a target more difficult for an archer.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of archer's forehand 10 holding archery bow riser 12, including grip 14, from an above perspective. FIG. 1 also shows longitudinal axis 24 passing through grip 14. Longitudinal axis 24 is an imaginary line or a reference line that identifies an axis of rotation of archery bow riser 12, such as when grip 14 is held by an archer. When the archer draws a bowstring and aims at a target forehand 10 experiences significant stress that can cause small rotational movements, angular deviations and/or twists 16 at grip 14, particularly about longitudinal axis 24. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the effect of small movements, angular deviations and/or twists 16 at grip 14 which cause or result in movement at arrow support area 18 that can be offset from grip 14 by distance 20. Small movements, angular deviations and/or twists 16 at grip 12 can produce angle of rotation 22. Angle of rotation 22 is multiplied by at least a factor of distance 20 between longitudinal axis 24 and arrow support area 18, resulting in relatively large movement 26 at arrow support area 18. Movement 26 can be calculated with the following equation: TAN(angle of rotation 24)*distance 20=movement 26. This relatively large movement 26 of arrow support area 18 makes it more difficult for an archer to aim and thus successfully hit a target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an improved archery bow riser that aligns a moveable arrow rest with a longitudinal axis in order to reduce or minimize a rotational effect of an archer's forehand, such as caused by drawing a bow string.

An archery bow riser according to this invention has a grip, an arrow shelf and a cavity. The archery bow riser can have a longitudinal axis passing through the grip. The longitudinal axis is an imaginary line or a reference line that identifies an axis of rotation of the archery bow riser when the grip is held by an archer. An arrow rest can be mounted directly or indirectly to the riser. The arrow rest can be a moveable arrow rest having a start position and a launch position. A support area of the arrow rest can be positioned above the arrow shelf and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis in the start position. The arrow rest can be moveably mounted within the cavity, to move into and away from launch position.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in view of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a section of a prior art archery bow riser;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of FIG. 2, in a launch position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of FIG. 4, in a launch position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of FIG. 6, in a launch position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser that houses a vertical drop arrow rest, in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portion of the archery bow riser shown in FIG. 8, in a launch position; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vertical travel type arrow rest, according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term arrow rest is intended to relate to and to be interchangeable with the terms drop-away arrow rest, move-away arrow rest, fall-away arrow rest and/or any other arrow rest or other similar device for resting or supporting a shaft of a projectile, including an arrow and/or crossbow bolt. Mizek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,881 and Mizek, U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,338, the entire teachings of both of which are incorporated into this specification by reference, teach different technical features and functions of arrow rests that move away from an arrow shaft when the arrow shaft is discharged from an archery bow.

The scope of this invention is intended to include archery bows, crossbows, or any other device that launches or propels a projectile.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of archery bow riser 30, according to one embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser 30 comprises grip 32 and arrow shelf 34. In certain embodiments of this invention, grip 32 and arrow shelf 34 are integrally formed into or by archery bow riser 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of walls in grip 32 partially form or define cavity 36. According to this invention, cavity 36 may or may not be a mounting hole corresponding to AMO standards. In some embodiments of this invention, cavity 36 is bordered by a plurality of walls 38, such as three vertical walls and a bottom wall as shown in FIG. 2, forming a generally cube-like void. Alternatively, cavity 36 can be bordered by any number of walls 38.

According to certain embodiments of this invention, arrow rest 40 can be mounted to archery bow riser 30. Arrow rest 40 can be mounted to archery bow riser 30 with a mechanical mounting, including but not limited to a mechanical connection, such as a threaded connection and/or an adhesive connection. Alternatively, arrow rest 40 can be integrally formed with archery bow riser 30. In certain embodiments, arrow rest 40 is a moveable arrow rest that includes a start position, such as shown in FIG. 2, and a launch position, such as shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments according to this invention, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, arrow rest 40 can move between the start position and the launch position in a generally vertical direction. FIG. 10 shows an example of a prior art arrow rest wherein support 42 moves along vertical travel 49, which is a linear or generally linear direction.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, arrow rest 40 comprises lower portion 44, hinge 46 and upper portion 48. Lower portion 44 can be mounted or otherwise secured directly or indirectly to one or more of walls 38. Lower portion 44 connects to hinge 46 and/or hinge 46 connects to upper portion 48. Hinge 46 allows upper portion 48 to pivot and/or otherwise move between the start position and the launch position. As shown in FIG. 2, in the start position, upper portion 48 rises above grip 32 and arrow shelf 34 and includes support 42. In this position, support 42 contacts and supports a portion of an arrow shaft, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. In the launch position, upper portion 48 pivots at hinge 46 and moves, at least partially, within cavity 36.

According to some embodiments of this invention, support 42 generally aligns with longitudinal axis 50 when arrow rest 40 is in the start position. Longitudinal axis 50 is an imaginary line or reference line that runs vertically within or through grip 32. Longitudinal axis 50 can be an axis of rotation about which archery bow riser 30 rotates while in an archer's forehand grip. When the archer draws a bow string, a significant force is exerted and thus the archer's forehand is under significant tension which can cause movements and/or rotations about longitudinal axis 50. The movements and/or rotations are multiplied as a mathematical function of a distance between longitudinal axis 50 and support 42. This invention reduces or minimizes the multiplication factor by shortening or eliminating the distance between longitudinal axis 50 and support 42, in some embodiments of this invention by positioning support 42 to be substantially and/or generally aligned with longitudinal axis 50.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of archery bow riser 60 according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser 60 comprises grip 62 and arrow shelf 64. In this embodiment, cavity 66 is formed as an aperture, an open bore and/or another suitable similar void with a slot shape and/or another suitable shape that passes through arrow shelf 64 and archery bow riser 60. Alternatively, cavity 66 can be formed of any shape and can pass through at least one of archery bow riser 60, grip 62 and/or arrow shelf 64.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, arrow rest 68 is mounted directly or indirectly to archery bow riser 60. Arrow rest 68 can be a moveably mounted arrow rest that is moveable between a start position, such as shown in FIG. 4, and a launch position, such as shown in FIG. 5. Arrow rest 68 comprises support portion 70 and mounting portion 72. Mounting portion 72 can be mounted to or with respect to archery bow riser 60, for example using a threaded connection. In this embodiment, support portion 70 comprises a first arm and a second arm extending from mounting portion 72 and through cavity 66. Each of the first arm and the second arm include a curved portion for supporting arrow shaft 74. The curved portion can define support 76. In the start position shown in FIG. 4, the first arm and the second arm extend generally parallel to one another from mounting portion 72 with support 76 over grip 62 and aligned with longitudinal axis 78. In the launch position shown in FIG. 5, the first arm and the second arm spread or move away from each other, for example in a scissor-like manner within cavity 66 and can quickly or immediately move out of a path of a launched arrow.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective views of archery bow riser 80 according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser 80 comprises grip 82 and arrow shelf 84. In this embodiment, cavity 86 is formed as a recess or a closed bore within or formed by both arrow shelf 84 and archery bow riser 80. Alternatively, cavity 86 can be a closed bore within or formed by at least one of archery bow riser 80, grip 82 and/or arrow shelf 84.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, arrow rest 88 can be mounted to archery bow riser 80. Arrow rest 88 can be a moveable arrow rest that includes a start position, such as shown in FIG. 6, and a launch position, such as shown in FIG. 7. Arrow rest 88 comprises support portion 90 and mounting portion 92. Mounting portion 92 can be mounted to or with respect to archery bow riser 80, for example using a threaded connection. Alternatively, mounting portion 82 can be mounted or secured to archery bow riser 80 in any other suitable mechanical or other manner. In this embodiment, support portion 80 comprises two arms, a bracket and a shaft. The shaft extends from mounting portion 92, though a hole or bore in archery bow riser 80 and into cavity 86. The shaft connects to the bracket and the bracket connects with each of the two arms. The two arms each can include a curved portion for supporting arrow shaft 94. The curved portion defines support 96. In the start position shown in FIG. 6, the two arms extend from each end of the bracket and are generally parallel to one another. Support 96 is generally positioned over grip 82 and a midpoint between the two arms generally aligns with longitudinal axis 98. In the launch position shown in FIG. 7, the shaft is rotated about 90 degrees which causes the bracket and the two arms to rotate about 90 degrees within cavity 86 and out of a path of a launched arrow shaft 94.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of archery bow riser 30 according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser 30 comprises grip 32 and arrow shelf 34. In this embodiment, cavity 36 is formed as a recess or a closed bore within or is formed by both arrow shelf 34 and archery bow riser 30. Alternatively, cavity 36 can be a closed bore within or formed by at least one of archery bow riser 30, grip 32 and/or arrow shelf 34.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, arrow rest 40 is shown as a vertical drop arrow rest, which can be a known linear or vertical drop arrow rest, such as shown in FIG. 10, that has support arm 42 traveling in the general direction of vertical travel 49. In other embodiments of this invention, arrow rest 40 can be another suitable vertical drop arrow rest or linearly movable arrow rest that travels in a linear direction and/or a generally linear direction and that can be mounted directly or indirectly to archery bow riser 30. Arrow rest 40 can be a moveable arrow rest that moves or travels between a start position, such as shown in FIG. 8, and a launch position, such as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, arrow rest 40 comprises support 42. Arrow rest 40 can be mounted directly to or with respect to archery bow riser 30, for example using a threaded connection, an interference fit connection and/or any other suitable connection. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, support portion 42 comprises one arm that moves along or follows a generally linear path, such as vertical travel 49 shown in FIG. 10. In the start position shown in FIG. 8, support 42 holds arrow shaft 47 in the position shown in FIG. 8, generally above or at a distance from arrow shelf 34, to provide adequate clearance as arrow shaft 47 is discharged. Support 42 is generally positioned over grip 32, about or generally at a midpoint along support 42 that generally aligns with longitudinal axis 50. In the launch position shown in FIG. 9, support 42 drops away vertically from a start position, such as a position substantially outside of cavity 36, to a launch position, such as a position substantially within or inside cavity 36 which in some embodiments is out of or away from a flight path of a launched arrow shaft 47.

This invention illustratively as disclosed suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.

While in the foregoing detailed description this invention is described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention. 

1. An archery bow riser comprising: a grip, a wall of the grip and/or the riser at least partially forming a cavity; the archery bow riser moveable about a longitudinal axis passing through the archery bow riser; an arrow rest mounted to the grip and/or the riser and at least partially positioned within the cavity, at least a portion of the arrow rest moveable between a start position and a launch position, a support area of the arrow rest contacting an arrow shaft in the start position, the arrow rest clearing the arrow shaft in the launch position, and in the start position the support area substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis.
 2. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the arrow rest is mounted to the grip and/or the archery bow riser with a threaded connection.
 3. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the arrow rest is integrally formed to the archery bow riser.
 4. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the arrow rest further includes a lower portion, a hinge and an upper portion, the lower portion positioned substantially within the cavity and mounted to the grip, the lower portion connects to the hinge, the hinge connects to the upper portion, wherein, in the start position, the upper portion extends above the grip and, in the launch position, the upper portion pivots at the hinge.
 5. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the arrow rest further includes a mounting portion and a support portion, the mounting portion mounted to the archery bow riser, the support portion including a first arm and a second arm extends from the mounting portion, wherein the first arm is generally aligned with the second arm in the start position and the first arm spread from the second arm in the launch position.
 6. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the arrow rest includes a mounting portion and a support portion, the mounting portion mounted to the archery bow riser and the support portion extending into the cavity and over the grip in the start position and the support portion rotates 90 degrees about a shaft into the launch position.
 7. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the cavity is defined on three sides by the grip.
 8. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a slot which passes through the riser and the grip.
 9. The archery bow riser of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a recess formed in the riser and the grip.
 10. An archery bow riser comprising: a grip and an arrow shelf, a wall of the grip, the arrow shelf and/or the archery bow riser at least partially forming a cavity; a longitudinal axis passing through the grip; an arrow rest movably connected with respect to the archery bow riser, the arrow rest movable between a start position and a launch position, a support area of the arrow rest positioned above the arrow shelf and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis in the start position, and the arrow rest moveable within the cavity to the launch position.
 11. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the arrow rest is mounted to the riser with a threaded connection.
 12. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the arrow rest is integrally formed to the riser.
 13. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the arrow rest further includes a lower portion, a hinge and an upper portion, the lower portion positioned substantially within the cavity and mounted to the grip, the lower portion connects to the hinge, the hinge connects to the upper portion, wherein, in the start position, the upper portion extends above the grip and, in the launch position, the upper portion pivots at the hinge.
 14. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the arrow rest further includes a mounting portion and a support portion, the mounting portion mounted to the riser, the support portion including a first arm and a second arm extends from the mounting portion, wherein the first arm is generally aligned with the second arm in the start position and the first arm spread from the second arm in the launch position.
 15. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the arrow rest includes a mounting portion and a support portion, the mounting portion mounted to the riser and the support portion extending into the cavity and over the grip in the start position and the support portion rotates 90 degrees about a shaft into the launch position.
 16. The archery bow riser of claim 10, wherein the cavity is defined on three sides by the grip.
 17. An archery bow riser comprising: a wall of the archery bow riser forming at least a portion of a cavity, the archery bow riser pivoting about a longitudinal axis; an arrow rest having a support movably mounted with respect to the archery bow riser and moveable between a start position and a launch position, in the start position the support positioned substantially outside of the cavity, in the launch position, the support positioned substantially inside of the cavity, and in the launch position the support clearing a launched arrow shaft.
 18. The archery bow riser of claim 17, wherein the cavity is a void that is different from a standard mounting hole of the archery bow riser.
 19. The archery bow riser of claim 17, wherein between the start position and the launch position the support moves in a generally vertical direction.
 20. The archery bow riser of claim 17, wherein between the start position and the launch position the support moves in a generally linear direction. 